Heathrow Airport, one of the world’s busiest travel hubs, was forced to close for an entire day on March 21, 2025, following a massive power outage caused by a fire at an electrical substation in Hayes, west London. The incident has resulted in the cancellation and diversion of over 1,000 flights, impacting tens of thousands of passengers and leaving thousands of homes without electricity.
Fire Sparks Chaos and Evacuations
The fire broke out late Thursday night at a key substation in the Hayes area. London Fire Brigade responded swiftly, deploying ten fire engines and approximately 70 firefighters. The blaze produced significant smoke, prompting emergency crews to evacuate around 150 nearby residents. A 200-meter safety cordon was also established as a precautionary measure.
“This is an obvious and significant incident,” said a spokesperson for London Fire Brigade. “Our firefighters are working tirelessly in challenging conditions to bring the fire under control.”
Heathrow Airport Takes Safety Measures
In response to the outage, Heathrow Airport announced its complete closure until 23:59 GMT on Friday to ensure the safety of passengers and staff. Heathrow suspended all operations and advised travelers to avoid the airport and contact their airlines for flight updates and information.
An official airport spokesperson announced, “We are closing Heathrow until 23:59 on 21 March to maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues.
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Massive Disruptions and Flight Diversions
The shutdown has led to significant travel disruptions, with incoming flights diverted to other UK airports, including Gatwick. Air traffic controllers redirected flights from major international destinations like Singapore, Johannesburg, Doha, Lagos, and Cape Town. Travel experts have warned of a ripple effect in the coming days as airlines struggle to rebook and reschedule thousands of passengers.
Thousands Left Without Power
The fire’s impact extended beyond the airport. Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks reported over 16,300 homes lost power in the affected area. Crews work around the clock to restore services, but many residents remain without electricity.
Investigation Underway
Authorities have yet to confirm the exact cause of the fire. As emergency services continue to work on-site, Heathrow and city officials are urging the public to remain patient and follow updates via official sources.
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